Vauxhall Astra Hatchback 1.6 Sport 5d (1996/N) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Affordable hot hatch car, offers alot of car for your money. Good mpg.
Costs
Once you get problems with the engine start looking for another car as Ecotec engines are very expensive to replace as they are very scarce. Garages don't like fitting them too. Other than that its still only Vauxhall so body parts are cheap as chips.
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On the road
Driving
What can i say, drives like a dream. Very nippy around town but a little noisy on the motorway. Handles beautifully.
Performance
Excellent performance for a cheap car. Does 0-60 in 10.5secs so is quite nippy. Sports suspension and sports wheels give more grip on the road.
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Living with it
Reliability
1.6 engine gives alot of wear and should last forever as long as it is not ragged. Front suspension mounts tend to be a common problem in astras. My astra sport was burning oil (piston rings), yet it carried on and on.
Image
Lovely looking car, could do with decent alloys.
Comfort
Lovely sports bucket seats give sporty feel. The black dash is very posh.
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Security and Service
Security
Alarms are not already fitted so car can be vulnerable as it is attractive to joyriders.
Service
My car was burning oil yet nobody seemed to know why as the engine sounded so beautiful. Costed me alot of money just to find that they don't know what is wrong with it.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Burning oil, like this when i bought it unluckily i didnt notice as EMS dash light was removed. Still sounded and drove brilliantly. Such a shame.
Other
I loved this car, but unfortunately it needed a new engine. I was quoted around £800-1000 (if one is found). Still drove on and on though. I ended up chopping it in for another Astra (2.0 CDX). Oh look out for wear on front suspension mounts.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
Yes
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes